Tubing and casing stabbers

ABSTRACT

A stabber serving as a guide for connecting casing or tubing sections when running the casing or tubing into an oil well or the like. The stabber is a longitudinally split cylindrical member having an inclined entrance end a cylindrical area for guiding the casing or tubing sections into engagement so that the threading operation can be conducted without danger of crossthreading, jamming or the like. The two sections are hingedly interconnected and retained in latched position by a readily releasable latch mechanism.

0 United States Patent 1 3,576,062

[72] Inventor LeeJ. Matherne [56] References Cited 2717 West Main, Houma, La. 70360 UNITED STATES PATENTS APPl- M 755912 3 422 519 1/1969 Fehlrnan 29/200 [221 Filed Aug-E1963 69 .1: 2 2 Patemed p 27,197] 3,434,191 3/19 Ttmmons 9/ 00 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorneys-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: A stabber serving as a guide for connecting [54] g g STABBERS casing or tubing sections when running the casing or tubing "wing into an oil well or the like. The stabber is a longitudinally split [52] U.S. Cl 29/200, cylindrical member having an inclined entrance end a 29/240 cylindrical area for guiding the casing or tubing sections into [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/20, engagement so that the threading operation can be conducted 1323p l9/04 without danger of cross-threading, jamming or the like. The [50] Field of Search ..29/200, 200 two sections are hingedly interconnected and retained in (P), 200 (J), 203 (P), 203 (J), 240

latched position by a readily releasable latch mechanism.

PATENIED APRZ? 19?:

SHEET 1 OF 3 Lee J. Mafheme IN VliN'I'OR. @163".

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BY QM PATENTEU m2? I97! SHEET 2 OF 3 Lee J. Marherne INVIfN I'UK.

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SHEET 3 OF 3 IN VIIN'I'OR.

runnso AND cxsnic srxsslsns .Considerable difficulty is experienced in effecting the threaded connection between the sections or joints of well casing or tubing when assembling these items when running a casing or tubing into an oil well or thelike. Normally, a person or persons aligns the upper section of casing or tubing with a lower or previously positioned section by manually exerting lateral forces on the externally threaded or pin end of the upper section while it is being lowered into engagement with the internally threaded lower section or joint thereon. In order to facilitate alignment and completion of the threaded connection, the present invention provides a stabber or guide attached to the lower section of the casing or tubing and extending above the upper end thereof with an upwardly flared'end portion being provided for receiving and guiding the lower end of the upper section of the casing or tubing. The guide or stabber includes a cylindrical portion substantially in alignment with the internal diameter of the lower section of the-casing or tubing to accurately guide the upper section of the casing or tubing in relation thereto to retain the upper section accurately aligned with the lower section during assembly thereof.

The stabber of the present invention is relatively simple in construction, easy to apply and remove, effective and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view illustrating the stabber of the present invention mounted on a lower casing section and illustrating the manner in which an upper casing section is guided by the stabber.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. I but with the upper section of the casing assembled with the lower section.

FIG. 3 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3-3 of FIG. I illustrating the relationship between the components of the.

stabber and the casing.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating further structural details of the stabber and the relationship thereof to the casing section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stabber with the sections thereof hinged to open position.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of stabber employed for effecting a threaded connection between tubing sections.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 6

with the sections of the tubing assembled.

FIG. 8 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line of FIG. 6

' illustrating the structural details of the stabber.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 9-9 of FIG. 7 illustrating the relationship between the stabber and tubing sections.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stabber for use with tubing illustrating the structure thereof when in open position.

which forms the part of the conventional oil well derrick or the like.

The casing stabber includes a pair of substantially semicylindrical members 34 and 36 which are hingedly interconnected at one edge thereof by a hinge structure generally designated by the numeral 38 and which includes a plurality of hinge barrels 40 disposed in interdigitated aligned relation receiving a hinge pin 42 therethrough. The free edge of the semicylindrical members 36 are retained in adjacent relation by a plurality of keeper lugs 44 fixedly attached to the outer surface of the semicylindrical member 34 adjacent the free edge thereof with each lug having a groove or slot 46 formed therein with the bottom of the groove or slot being defined by an inclined ram or cam surface 48. The adjacent edge of the opposite semicylindrical member 36 is provided with a latch assembly generally designated by the numeral 50 which includes a plurality of latch members 52 each having a central portion thereof hinged between a pair of outwardly j extending lugs 54 by hinge pins or bolts 56. One end of each latch member 62 extends beyond the free edge of the Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1-5, the casing stabber is generally designated by the numeral 20 for effecting a threaded coupling between a lower previously installed casing section 22 and an upper casing section 24 which is externally threaded at the lower end thereof as designated by the numeral 26. The lower section 22 is provided with a coupling 28 at the upper end thereof which is in screw-threaded engagement with the upper end of the lower section 22. The threaded connection between the coupling 28 and the lower section 22 is designated at 30 in FIG. 4. The particular construction of the casing sections and the coupling 28 are of conventional construction as is the supporting platform 32 semicylindrical member 36 and includes a recessed inner surface 58 defining a notch which has the outer edge thereof defined by a latching surface 68 engaging with the radial surface of the lug 44 remote from the free edge of the semicylindrical member 38. The free end of each of the latch member 52 terminates in an inclined cam surface 62 for engagement with the ramp or cam surface 48 on the keepers 44 so that the movement of the semicylindrical sections 34 and 36 toward each other about the hinge 38 will cause the cam surface 66 to engage the cam surface 48 thus pivoting the latch member 52 in a manner that enables the latching surface 58 thereof to ride up over and be engaged with the surface 68 of the lugs 44 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Interconnecting the ends of the latch members 52 remote from the recessed ends 58 thereof is an elongated bar 70 so that all of the latch members 52 are operated in unison. A coil compression spring 72 extends between the upper end portion of the interconnecting bar 70 and a recess defined on a lug 74 on the semicylindrical member 36. The outer end of the spring 72 may be received in a corresponding recess in the bar 70 for spring biasing the latch members 52 into latching engagement with the surface 68 on the lugs 44 with the spring 72 permitting simultaneous inward movement of the inner end of each of the latch members 52 when the bar 70 is moved inwardly thus releasing all of the latching surfaces 60 from the lug 44.

For operating the latch members, the bar 70 is provided with an arcuately curved operating handle 76 which curves partially around the periphery of the semicylindrical member 36 and then extends upwardly into a handle or hand-engaging portion 78 which extends up through the interior of a U- shaped handle 80 attached to the exterior surface of the semicylindrical member 36 as illustrated in FIG. 5 so that when a person grips the handle 80, they may easily actuate the hand-engaging or gripping member 78 by merely gripping it and forcing it inwardly or forcing it inwardly with the thumb. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a U-shaped handle 82 is attached to the semicylindrical member 34 in generally opposed relation to the handle 80 with both of the handles 80 and 82 being rigidly welded or otherwise affixed to the semicylindrical members. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the handles 80 and 82 are closer to the free edges of the semicylindrical members to facilitate pivoting manipulation of the semicylindrical members and to facilitate the orientation of the semicylindrical members in association with the lower section 22 of the casing and the coupling 28 thereon.

The interior surface of each of the semicylindrical members 34 and 36 is provided with an offset or shoulder 84 therein which extends peripherally and faces downwardly for abutting supporting engagement with the upper edge of the coupling 28 or with the upper edge of the casing in the event the female threads on the casing are of integral construction therewith. The upper end of the semicylindrical members 34 and 36 is 4 of the'upper section 24 of the casing into'the cylindrical area 88 which-extends from the lower extremity of the inclined edge 86 to the shoulder 84 thus forming a cylindrical guide surface for engagement with the casing section 24.

As illustrated, the upper exterior surface of the semicylindrical members 34 and 36 are inwardly offset as indicated by numeral 90 with the handles 80 and ,82 being welded to this area of the members. Where the lugs 44 aresecured, a filler plate or bar 92 is provided vertically across the recess area 90 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. Also, where .the pivot lugs 54 are provided on the semicylindrical member 36, a similar bar 94 is provided in the recessed area 90 and, of course, the lug or seat 74 for the coil spring 72 is welded to the recess area 90.

Each of the pivot bolts 56 are in alignment and each of the lugs 44 are in alignment so that the stabber when assembled with the lower casing section 22 or coupling 28 if one is used, the cylindrical guide'surface 88 and the inclined surface 86 will accurately guide and position the upper casing section 24 in relation to the lower section 22 and the coupling 28 thereby enabling the threaded connection 96 therebetween to be easily effected by rotating the upper casing section 24 in a conventional and well-known manner.

Referring now specifically to the tubing stabber illustrated in FIGS. 610, the stabber is generally designated by the numeral 100 and is used in coupling an upper tubing section 102 having a lower threaded end portion 104 with a lower previously lowered or installed tubing section 106 having an internally threaded coupling 108 at the upper end thereof which is illustrated as being integral with the tubing section 106 but various types of couplings and threaded connections may be employed for interconnecting the tube sections.

The stabber 100 includes a pair of semicylindrical members 110 and 112 which are hingedly interconnected by a pivot pin or bolt 114 extending through aligned apertures in a plurality of laterally extending and inclined lugs 116 rigidly affixed to adjacent edges of the semicylindricalmembers 110 and 112. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the lugs 116 are interdigitated and engage with each other to provide a positive hinge axis for the sections 110 and 112 so that the opposite edges thereof may be pivoted apart to an open position as illustrated in FIG.

' and pivoted to a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The free edge of the semicylindrical member 112 is provided with a pair of lugs 118 thereon disposed on either side of an inclined keeper surface 120 which terminates in a radial latching or keeper surface 122 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Pivotally attached to the free edge of the semicylindrical member 110 is a latching member 124 which has an arcuately curved portion thereof received between a pair of lugs 126 and pivotally mounted therebetween by apivot bolt 128. A

. coil compression spring 130 extends between a seat in the inner surface of the latch members 124 and a corresponding seat in the exterior surface of the semicylindrical member 110 as illustrated in FIG. 8 thereby biasing the latch member into latching position.

- The end of the latch member 124 which extends beyond the free edge of the semicylindrical member 110is provided with a recess in the inner surface thereof designated by numeral 132 with the outer edge of the recess being defined by a radially extending latching surface 134 which will engage behind the latching surface 122 on the ramp member 120 thus securing the semicylindrical members 110 and 112 into adjacent position thus defining a substantially cylindrical member.

The latch member 124 is provided with an outwardly extending handle I36 thereon while the semicylindrical member 112 is provided with a diametrically opposed laterally extending handle member 138 so that by engaging the handles 136 and 138, the stabber may be manipulated for positioning on the lower tubing section 106 with the handle 136 serving not only as a manipulating device for the stabber but also a handle for releasing the latch member 124 when desired.

The interior surface of each of 'the semicylindrical members 110 and 112 is provided with a downwardly facing shoulder 140v which engages the face'of the upper end of the lower tubing section 106 or the upper end of the coupling 108 to effect the threaded connection 142 between the upper tubing section 102 and the lower tubing section 106.

The upper end of the semicylindrical members 110 and 112 are each provided with an outwardly inclined flange 143 defining an inclined surface or edge 144 at the upper and inner comer edge of the stabber for guiding the upper tubing section 102 into the cylindrical interior surface 146. The lower cylindrical surface 148 on the stabber engages the external surface of the coupling 108 to accurately position the stabber on the lower tubing section and thus accurately position the upper tubing section 102 in relation to the lower tubing section for effecting the threaded connection 142.

The spring 130 serves to retain the surface 134 on the catch 124 in engagement with the corresponding surface 122 on the keeper or ramp 120. The nose or free end of the latch 124 is provided with a cam surface 135 which cooperates with the cam surface on the ramp 120 to provide for automatic latching of the latch member 124 when the semicylindrical members 110 and 112 are swung toward each other about the pivot pin 114 to facilitate installation of and removal of the stabber.

The interior diameter of the casing stabber is constructed so the portion thereof below the shoulder 84 conforms with the outside diameter of standard couplings or lower casing sections while the interior diameter of the cylindrical portion 38 conforms with the external diameter of the upper casing section 24. The tubing stabber is similarly constructed with the lower portion thereof conforming with the diameter of the coupling 108 and the upper internal diameter conforming with the external diameter of the upper section 102 of the tubing.

Byemploying the stabber, the assembly of the casing section or tubing sections is facilitated with considerably less damage to the threads and with considerably less effort on the part of the persons responsible for effecting. the threaded connection between the sections of the casing or tubing. The construction of the stabber and the handle structure and latch structure incorporated therein facilitates easy installation of the stabber and also ready removal thereof thereby facilitating the threading connection between the sections of easing or tubing. To further facilitate the guiding action and to protect the threads of the tubing or casing, the interior surfaces of the guide may be coated with a thin layer of rubber, plastic or similar materials as at 87.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Iclaim:

l. A pipe stabber comprising an annular member split longitudinally into substantially semicylindrical members, hinge means interconnecting said members to enable relative pivotal movement therebetween for mounting the annular member on the end of a pipe, internal peripheral shoulder means disposed intermediate the ends of the annular member for engaging the end of a pipe for positioning the annular member with one end thereof enclosing the end of the pipe and the other end extending axially from the end of the pipe, and outwardly flared guide means on the extending end of the annular member remote from the pipe on which it is mounted to guide another pipe into alignment and engagement with the pipe on which the annular member is mounted when the pipes are moved axially towards each other.

2. A pipe stabber comprising an annular member split longitudinally into substantially semicylindrical members, hinge means interconnecting said members to enable relative pivotal movement therebetween for mounting the annular member on the end of a pipe, means disposed intermediate the ends of and within the annular member for engaging the end of a pipe for positioning the annular member in relation thereto, and means at the end of the annular member remote from the pipe on which it is engaged to guide another pipe section into engagement with the pipe on which the annular member is mounted, said semicylindrical members including interengaging latch means opposed to the hinge means for releasably retaining the semicylindrical members in adjacent relation to define an annular member, each of said semicylindrical members including a handle rigid therewith, said latch means including an operating handle extending adjacent one of said handles on the semicylindrical members to enable manipulation of the latch means with the same hand and the same time as the handle on the semicylindrical member is being grasped, said means within the annular member including a peripheral shoulder facing the end of the pipe on which the annular member is mounted, said means guiding another pipe section including an outwardly extending flange at the end of the annular member with the inner surface of the outwardly extending flange being inwardly inclined toward the center of the annular member.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means includes a keeper mounted on one of said semicylindrical members adjacent the free edge thereof with the keeper including a cam surface and a latching surface extending radially of the annular member, said latch means also including a latch member pivotally mounted on the other semicylindrical member adjacent the free edge thereof, said operating handle being attached to the latch member, and spring means biasing the latch member into engagement with the keeper, said latch member including a cam end engaging the cam surface on the keeper to spring bias the latch member outwardly to enable it to pivot outwardly when the semicylindrical members are moved toward each other, said latch member including a radial latching surface for engaging with the latching surface on the keeper when the semicylindrical members are oriented in adjacent relation.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein one of the semicylindrical members includes a plurality of keepers thereon, the other of the semicylindrical members including a plurality of latch members pivotally mounted thereon, a bar interconnecting said latch members for simultaneous operation thereof, said operating handle for the latch means being connected to said interconnecting bar for simultaneous operation of the latch members.

5. For use in combination with a casing or tubing section already inserted into the well bore, a guide for a casing or tubing section to be threaded to the casing or tubing section in the well bore, said guide comprising an annular member split longitudinally into a pair of substantially semicylindrical members, each of said semicylindrical members having a lower end portion defining a cylindrical surface when assembled to engage the casing or tubing already inserted into a well bore, an annular shoulder intermediate the ends of said annular member, said shoulder facing downwardly and engaging the face end of the casing or tubing already inserted into the well bore, the upper end of said annular member defining a cylindrical surface to engage the exterior of a casing or tubing section to be threaded to the casing or tubing section already installed in the well bore, said upper cylindrical surface terminating in an outwardly flared upper end for guiding the upper casing or tubing section intothe upper cylindrical surface, and means interconnecting said semicylindrical members for relative pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position for enabling assembly and disassembly thereof in relation to the casing or tubing section already installed in the well bore.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said semicylindrical members includes a handle adjacent the upper end thereof with the handle being disposed closer adjacent the free ends than the pivotally connected ends of the semicylindrical members, latch means retaining the semicylindrical members m closed position, said latch means including an operating handle means extending to a point adjacent one of said handles for manipulating the latch means while grasping the handle.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said latch means includes a keeper on one of said semicylindrical members and a latch member pivotally mounted on the other of said semicylindrical members, said latch member being spring biased to lockingly engage the keeper, said operating handle means being attached to said latch member. 

1. A pipe stabber comprising an annular member split longitudinally into substantially semicylindrical members, hinge means interconnecting said members to enable relative pivotal movement therebetween for mounting the annular member on the end of a pipe, internal peripheral shoulder means disposed intermediate the ends of the annular member for engaging the end of a pipe for positioning the annular member with one end thereof enclosing the end of the pipe and the other end extending axially from the end of the pipe, and outwardly flared guide means on the extending end of the annular member remote from the pipe on which it is mounted to guide another pipe into alignment and engagement with the pipe on which the annular member is mounted when the pipes are moved axially towards each other.
 2. A pipe stabber comprising an annular member split longitudinally into substantially semicylindrical members, hinge means interconnecting said members to enable relative pivotal movement therebetween for mounting the annular member on the end of a pipe, means disposed intermediate the ends of and within the annular member for engaging the end of a pipe for positioning the annular member in relation thereto, and means at the end of the annular member remote from the pipe on which it is engaged to guide another pipe section into engagement with the pipe on which the annular member is mounted, said semicylindrical members including interengaging latch means opposed to the hinge means for releasably retaining the semicylindrical members in adjacent relation to define an annular member, each of said semicylindrical members including a handle rigid therewith, said latch means including an operating handle extending adjacent one of said handles on the semicylindrical members to enable manipulation of the latch means with the same hand and the same time as the handle on the semicylindrical member is being grasped, said means within the annular member including a peripheral shoulder facing the end of the pipe on which the annular member is mounted, said means guiding another pipe section including an outwardly extending flange at the end of the annular member with the inner surface of the outwardly extending flange being inwardly inclined toward the center of the annular member.
 3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means includes a keeper mounted on one of said semicylindrical members adjacent the free edge thereof with the keeper including a cam surface and a latching surface extending radially of the annular member, said latch means also including a latch member pivotally mounted on the other semicylindrical member adjacent the free edge thereof, said operating handle being attached to the latch member, and spring means biasing the latch member into engagement with the keeper, said latch member including a cam end engaging the cam surface on the keeper to spring bias the latch member outwardly to enable it to pivot outwardly when the semicylindrical members are moved toward each other, said latch member including a radial latching surface for engaging with the latching surface on the keeper when the semicylindrical members are oriented in adjacent relation.
 4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein one of the semicylindrical members includes a plurality of keepers thereon, the other of the semicylindrical members incLuding a plurality of latch members pivotally mounted thereon, a bar interconnecting said latch members for simultaneous operation thereof, said operating handle for the latch means being connected to said interconnecting bar for simultaneous operation of the latch members.
 5. For use in combination with a casing or tubing section already inserted into the well bore, a guide for a casing or tubing section to be threaded to the casing or tubing section in the well bore, said guide comprising an annular member split longitudinally into a pair of substantially semicylindrical members, each of said semicylindrical members having a lower end portion defining a cylindrical surface when assembled to engage the casing or tubing already inserted into a well bore, an annular shoulder intermediate the ends of said annular member, said shoulder facing downwardly and engaging the face end of the casing or tubing already inserted into the well bore, the upper end of said annular member defining a cylindrical surface to engage the exterior of a casing or tubing section to be threaded to the casing or tubing section already installed in the well bore, said upper cylindrical surface terminating in an outwardly flared upper end for guiding the upper casing or tubing section into the upper cylindrical surface, and means interconnecting said semicylindrical members for relative pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position for enabling assembly and disassembly thereof in relation to the casing or tubing section already installed in the well bore.
 6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said semicylindrical members includes a handle adjacent the upper end thereof with the handle being disposed closer adjacent the free ends than the pivotally connected ends of the semicylindrical members, latch means retaining the semicylindrical members in closed position, said latch means including an operating handle means extending to a point adjacent one of said handles for manipulating the latch means while grasping the handle.
 7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said latch means includes a keeper on one of said semicylindrical members and a latch member pivotally mounted on the other of said semicylindrical members, said latch member being spring biased to lockingly engage the keeper, said operating handle means being attached to said latch member. 